Pack Expo East 2026 Recap

Real Conversations. Real Automation. Real Momentum.

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Pack Expo East 2026 in Philadelphia delivered exactly what we come to these shows for: meaningful conversations with manufacturers who are serious about improving throughput, reducing labor strain, and building packaging lines that scale.

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From the moment the doors opened, our booth stayed active with operators, engineers, managers, and leadership teams looking for practical automation solutions, not buzzwords. The common thread across nearly every discussion was clear: production demands are rising, labor is tight, and consistency is non-negotiable. The good news? The right equipment choices and line layouts can make a measurable impact fast.

The theme we heard again and again: “We need to do more with less.”

Across food, snack, bakery, nutraceutical, and general CPG applications, manufacturers shared similar pain points:

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• Manual packing and hand-loading creating bottlenecks
• Inconsistent weights and product giveaway impacting margins
• Changeovers taking too long and costing uptime
• End-of-line constraints (case packing / palletizing) limiting total output
• Difficulty finding and keeping labor for repetitive packaging work

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Our team spent the show doing what we love: breaking down these challenges and mapping out the most efficient automation path, whether that means starting with a single packaging station or building toward a complete end-to-end line.

Highlights from the booth: the lineup that drew the crowd

This year, we brought a full range of packaging and automation systems so attendees could see how the pieces fit together in a real production environment.

Robotics & End-of-Line Automation

Automation at the end of the line was one of the biggest topics of the show. Many teams are ready to reduce repetitive manual tasks and improve consistency, especially in case handling and palletizing conversations. Our Cobot System and RoboPacker sparked strong interest as flexible, scalable options for operations looking to take the next step.

Bagging & Primary Packaging

Bagging and portion packaging were constant conversation drivers, especially for operations balancing speed with accuracy. Systems like the RotoBagger, EcoBagger + Auger Filler, and 2 Lane Stick Pack were central to discussions around efficiency, dosing accuracy, and clean, repeatable packaging results.

Weighing, Feeding & System Support

When accuracy and consistency matter, weighing systems become the heartbeat of a packaging line. We spent a lot of time talking through product behavior, ideal hopper sizes, and how the right scale configuration impacts speed and cost control. The 14 Head Scale and EliteWeigh Weigher 24H 0.5L generated strong interest for teams wanting dependable performance across different product types.

VFFS & Packaging Platforms

For teams focused on throughput and uptime, our VFFS and packaging platforms were a key draw. The MarsRapid VFFS, ComboPack Case Former & Bag Inserter, and Pack500 flow wrapper drove great conversations around film handling, seal integrity, changeover simplicity, and building a platform that supports growth.

What happens next

To everyone who visited our booth, thank you. If we didn’t get enough time together on the show floor, we’d love to continue the conversation with a quick line review call. Whether you’re upgrading a single component or planning a full automation roadmap, our team can help you:

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• Confirm the right packaging format and system configuration
• Estimate throughput improvements and labor savings
• Identify bottlenecks and prioritize upgrades by ROI
• Build a phased plan that scales with your production goals

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If you’re ready, reach out and we’ll schedule a follow-up. Contact us today.

Let’s keep the momentum going.

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